Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed a willingness to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to bring an end to the ongoing war that has persisted since Moscow’s invasion nearly three and a half years ago. This announcement came after Zelensky’s discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and several European leaders at the White House.
During a press briefing, Zelensky emphasized the support he received from European leaders for a bilateral meeting with Putin. “I confirmed — and all European leaders supported me — that we are ready for a bilateral meeting with Putin,” he stated. This potential meeting comes amidst increasing pressure on Ukraine to make territorial concessions as Russia continues to advance in various regions.
Prior to the meeting with U.S. officials, Trump recommended that Ukraine consider relinquishing control over Crimea and abandon its aspirations of joining NATO—demands that have been consistent with Putin’s stance. However, Zelensky articulated that his discussions with Trump allowed him to present a more detailed depiction of the current battlelines. “This was the best of our meetings,” he noted, highlighting his ability to visually represent the situation on the ground to American officials.
The focus of the summit shifted away from concessions from Ukraine and instead centered on establishing security guarantees to be implemented in the event of a future peace agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron shared insights following the meeting, stating that these guarantees would be provided collaboratively by various European nations and the United States.
Zelensky reiterated the importance of a clear signal from the United States confirming its commitment to assist and participate in the security guarantees for Ukraine. He indicated that plans regarding these guarantees would be formalized in the coming week or ten days, reflecting a coordinated effort to ensure Ukraine’s security in the face of ongoing conflict.
